Sheet trimming, slitting, and scoring mechanism



A118. 1942' H. c. BEHRENS 2,291,789

SHEET TRIMMING, SLITTING, AND SCORING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 24, 1941 \G 8 9 Y B \\N\ AAA... I a Q 7 1 i Q 3 Q m6 5 N mm mm \m QM ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 4, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OF CE" j SHEET TRIMMING, 'SLITTING, AND

' SCORING MECHANISM 1 Herbert G; Behrens, Ha'ddon Heights, N. J., assignor to Samuel M. Langston 00., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 24, 1941, Serial No. 380,117

17 Claims.

The present invention relates to a machine for slitting and/or scoring sheet material, such as single or double faced corrugated paper board, to trim thesides of said sheet, to divide said sheet longitudinally into sections of desired Width,

and/or score said sheet preparatory to the formation of some product such as a box blank therefrom.

In a machine of this general type, the trimming, slitting or scoring mechanism includes a pair of shafts carrying pairs of opposed coacting slitting and/or scoring heads adjustable along' said shafts in accordance with the desired width of the sections to be cut, and the desired posi tion of the score lines. After one run-has been completed, it is usually necessary to adjust one or more pairs of the rotary heads along their respective shafts, and sometimes necessary to change the number of these heads in preparation for the next run. To make such'adjustments often requires considerable time, and so it has been customary to provide two or more of these mechanisms, each with its pair of shafts, and somounted that while one mechanism is in operative position and being used, another mechanism is in inoperative position where 'theadjustments may be made at leisure preparatory to tion.

the machine is running to permit centering of the rotary heads with respect to the advancing sheet. This is particularlyadvantageous in centering the outside trimming heads with respect to the sheet, so that the amounttrimmed from the opposite edges of the sheet can be made equal in case the sheet shifts laterally ineither direc- A further object is to provide power-means for effecting the rotation of'theframe in either direction, automatically stopping it in the proper moving it into operative position to replace the other one at the end of a run.

My invention relates to this type in which two or more slitting, trimming orscoring mechanisms are mounted on a frame which is rotatable about a central axis to permit any one of the mechanisms to be swung into or out of operative posi-.

tion with respect to the path of movement of the advancing sheet. v

One object of the present invention is to effect the automatic connecting and disconnecting of each mechanism to the driving means as the mechanism moves into and out of operative .po-

sition, and without in any way disturbing or changing the meshing relationship of any of the power transmitting gears.

To secure this object there is provided a centrally located drive for all of the mechanisms which act on the sheet and clutch means for each mechanism which is so mounted, designed and operated that it will transmit power'to the mechanism only when the latter is in or adjacent to its operating position. Thus I avoid the necessity of "bringing any gears into or out of mesh when shifting the position ofthe mechanism. I

As a further feature, the connecting and disconnecting of the drive to the mechanisms is efoperative position and locking it against movement while acting on the sheet.

Various other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following particular description, and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings in which I Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken through a slitting and scoring machine embodying the pres-- I entinvention, and i Figs. 2 and 3 aresections taken on lines 22 and 3=3 respectively of Fig. 1. I v

In the form illustrated in the drawings, there are provided three duplicate pairs of parallel coacting shafts l0 and II all mounted on a r'otatable frame having end sections I2, I3 secured to a normally stationary central shaft [4 journalled in bearing blocks or stationary frame parts [1 and i8, so that any one of said pairs can be brought directly above the axis of said frame in operative position upon rotation of central shaft 14' and said frame.

Each pair of shafts Ioand II have rigidly but adjustably secured thereto the desired number of members for acting on'the sheet as it passes therebetween. These members may include two pairs of coacting slitting heads l5 andl6 trimming the margins of the advancing sheet to give it straight edges and thedesired width, any desired humberof pairsofrcoacting slitting 'heads in and 2| for subdividing the sheet longitudinally in sections of the desired width andnumher, and if desired, any required number of pairs of scoring heads IQ for creasing the sheet to provide fold lines. Each pair of heads is mounted foradjustment along the shafts l0 and ll to scores and slits.

properly, locate longitudinally in the advancing sheet.

The air. of end frame sections l2 and I3 which .-are"affixed.to the horizontal shaft I4 for rotationtherewith may each have three radiating arms 26 spaced l20apart for supporting fected automatically as said mechanisms are moved into or out of operative positions.-

As another feature, means are provided for adjustably moving the mechanisms axially while the end .bearings of the shafts I0 and It.

The parts so far referred to may be of the conventional type heretofore employed.

For rotating the shaft H and the'frame sections I2 and Hi, there is provided a motor 30- operativelyconnected to the shaft I4 through a said collar.

reduction gearing comprising a worm}! on the motor shaft, and a worm wheel 32 splined to said shaft I4 and meshing withsaid worm. The motor 30 is reversible .so that the frame l2, l3 can be rotated selectively in either direction 120 to move either one of the lower pairs-of shafts II and II and their slitting andscoring head's. i

. The gear, 40;encircles the shaft l4 and is driven fromany suitable means; as, for instance: from a drive shaft 43, coupled through aspringpressed, friction clutch 45to a .bevel gear. "44 which meshes with-a bevel gear 45, carrying a Ql ispushed radially outwardly to engage the clutch, and as' said mechanism leaves operating position. theend of the lever is pulled radially inwardly to disengage the clutch.. I

Thegears 5 2 and 54 shown in Fig. 1 will there- .fore be coupled for rotation .in unison, and the drive between the drive gear 40 and the shafts l0 and II which are uppermost is established.

The two other clutches 55 associated with' the two lower inoperative pairs of shafts l0 and H are alwaysjdisen'gaged so that no driving fof these shafts while in these-positions can take place,- and;,these shafts may be freely rotated if necessaryin adjustingthe, heads thereorn- Whileflthe sheet is;trav elling; between a pair of coacting shafts HI. and Lit may shift. slightly transversely so that it willnot'be properlycentered with respect to the outside trimming knives i5 and". "As a feature of the present inven-..

tion means are provided for '-shifting the shafts I (land. I I axially while the machine-isfrunning f-toeffect the centering of these'knives withrespect to the advancing. sheet... For thatpurspur gear 41 meshing with a gear 48 encircling the shaft l4 and rigid or integral with the gear 45. "A' sleeve 55' encircling the shaft i4 'isjsh'own rigidly connecting the gears "and 48--and supportedon the shaft l4 througl'l-bearings 42.

Each pair of shafts l5 and H has apair of intermeshing gears 5l and 51, and ass featureof my invention, I provide clutch-means for ope eratively connecting .each gear 52 to the gear .45 when its driven parts. are .in.operativeposition .pose one end of the shaft 14, for-instance,- that journalled in the .bearinglblock .l'l, is'engaged by a sleeve 5j8' which is axlally'movable therewith but which permits'rotation of said shaft with respect thereto. A housing for the sleeve 56 is fixed to the bearing block I! and forms a bearing for a spindle 55 coaxial with thesh aft 114.: The-.iinner end-portion of this spindle is threaded inthe'sleeve-55,1whi1e. the other end ,projects outwardly from the housing 61 and has and without meshing'or unmeshing any gears,

In the form shown each radiallyinner gear 52 has a hub 53 on which a gear 541s rotatably supported through suitable bearings. Each gear 54 meshes with the drive gear and is dis-' engageably coupled to the shaft H for rotation therewith by means of a clutch 55 which is shown as of the multiple disc friction' typewith'altere. nate discs secured to the. gear 54 for rotationf therewith and axial movement therealong, and, intervening discs splined to the shaft ll permit axial movement therealong.

Each set of transmission gears 51,52 and 54, and associated clutch 551s housed in a-casingformed on the arm 26 by a cover 21 on the outer side @of the frame plate l2, and sealed: along an inner peripheral section onthe otheriside by a packing ring 49 engaging a fixed .frame part or housing 50 for the gears 44, "and 45.

As a feature of the present invention; the clutch 55 is automatically operated during the rotation of the framearm 26 associated-there' with. For'that purpose there is provided a 001- lar 55, which is splined to the shaft H, and moved axially along'said shaft by nieansof a fixed cam 51 and a swinging follqwer in :the form of a bell crank 58 between said camand The cam 51 in the-forn rofa ring encircles the sleeve between the gears 40 and 45 and is secured to the fixed frame part 60' of the machine. An annular face' groove ti on the cam 51 receives one arm of the bell crank. 55, while its other arm extends in an annular peripheral groove of the collar 55.

The cam groove 6| is not concentric with the 'shaft- H. The part of the groove which-is di-. rectly above the shaft is spaced farther-from an operating..m eans shown as a hand wheel. I5 .aiiixed thereto The sleeve is held against rotation by aplurality .of studs Ii fixed thereto and slldably passing through holes in the housrespect to'theshaft by a flange 'l2' extending into an annular groove in the shaft I4; *Orie of said studs 1l= inay be calibrated at its-outer end to indicate by-the extent of; its outward..projec f tion beyondl the. housing 5 the 'axialiposltio'n "shaft'l4 without interruptingthe drive to the operative"shafts Ill and "H; the gear 41 is sub stantiallywider than the gear-meshing there- 'withha-Uponaxial adjusting mov'emen'tof the shaft I.4,the frame l2,-l'3, the'shafts I0 and II and the drives. thereto including the. gears. 45

. ,and 48 ,are 1' moved axially therewith. The gear 48 remains in mesh with the gear 41 during this axial movement so that .the'driv'e .to the upper operative shafts III and ilfisf continued without shafts-i0, li-is brought to operative position and it is important that such circuit breaking means he so located that it is not affected by any axial adjustment ofthe shaft l4 and the part carri'edfthereby. As shown, the bearing block and gear housing section l8 carry a motor stop switch relationship to the switch. a d 1- While the upper pair of shafts l0. and ll with 33 which is operated by a lug '34 projecting from each cover member 2! and in a directioniparallel to the'a'xis of theshaft 14 so that the lug'may be moved endwise with the" other parts'c'arried by the shaft .l'4-Fwlthout changing its operative their associated. trimming and scoring heads are [operating on ah advancing sheet, the operator may be axiallyadjusti'ng the slitting and scoring heads on one ofthe lower inactive pairs of shafts In order to'permitjthe axial movement of the I is V v jfffl ll and (In this way the operator can be preparing the two lower pairs of-shafts ldiand -H for the next two succeeding runs. When the 7 run through-the upper Shafts lfland II has been completed,the operator operates the switchto start the motor 30 rotating in a directionto selectively move either one of the two lower pairs of shafts 120 into upper operative position. I

The movement of the shafts J0 and H into and out of operative position is attended without movingany of the gears of the drives to'said shafts out of mesh. Reestablishment of the drives is effected simply and automatically by. the

clutches 55 without, thelnecessitypf'moving f spaced gears intointermesh; When-any pair 01" shafts l0 and, is brought into operative posi- 'tion, the lug 34 throws the switch 33, tos op the 32fwillhol'd motor. '5 The irreversible gearing" 3] the parts in the selected position; i a Y As many changes could be made in the above apparatus, and"many-apparently 'widely different- I embodiments of this invention could be made a without departing from .the scope'ofthe claims, 1

it is intended that all mattercontained'inz-the' abovedescription or shownin the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limltingsense: j u I Having described my invention; what 1' claim as new and .desiretosecure by LettersjPatent, is- .g

1; sheet a norz operative position with respect to the sheet,- a-

drivef'a transmission "from said drive toeach 1 of said shaft sets, and including 'agclutch; and

means" for automatically disengaging the clutch" ofithe transmissions'ofthezshaft set disposed in maily stationary. shaft having a" plurality of spaced therefrom; circumferentially spaced apart, and. independently adjustable axially, a" pair of gears on said shaft, one rigid with the 'shaft'an'd one relatively rotatable thereon, a plurality of geartrainaeach including a clutch andeach of trimming'devices carried thereby, radially connecting said second mentioned gear with a corresponding oneof said sets of trimmingd vicesmeans inewith, said first gear-for rotating said shaft tomove' the trimming devices.

into and out of operative positionjand means meshing with said-second gear for connectingany one of said sets of trimming devices through its corresponding clutch-.-

'2. A sheet trimming machine including a normally stationary shaft having a plurality of sets.

of trimming deviceslcarried .thereb'y, radially spaced therefrom, circumferentially spaced apart,

and independently adjustablelaxially, a pair of V gears on said shaft,lone keyed on the shaft and one relatively rotatable thereor'n'a *pluralityiof gear trains, each including a clutch and each connecting said secondmentioned gear with corresponding one of saidsetsqof trimming devices, means meshing with'said first gear for rotating said shaftto move the trimming devices into and out of operative position, and. meansifor v engaging a'nd disengaging each-clutch as its corresponding set of trimming devicesis brought into or out of operative position. I

other set as advancingsheet longitudinally comprising plu rality of sets of coacting shafts adapted 'to adjustably carry slitting and"sco'ring-heads, and bodily rotatable inunison about an-axis t'o'permit any one of said shaft sets to be moved-into operative position'with respect totlie sheet, a

drive, and a transmission fromsaid drive to each sets and including a disengageable of said shaft clutch;

advancing sheet longitudinally comprising "a frame, a plurality of sets of coacting shafts supported on said frame and adapted to adjustably carry slitting and; scoring'he ad's',=said frame being rotatableto'bring' any one of said shaft'sets into I operative positionwith respect to the sheet; "a rotary drive jmen'iber, mounted c'oaxi'allyjof saicl frame, and a.j 'tran'smissiorr from; said drive member toeach of said'shaft'sets', andincluding a disengageableclutchu- A, p b 6 A machine for'slitting and/or scarin -ante:

" vancing sheet longitudinally comprising-'9. frame; a plurality of sets of coacting shafts supported on said frame and adapted to 'adiustably carry slitting and scoring heads,said framefbeingiro tatableto bring any one of said shaft 'setspiri :operative position assaidlatteriset is moved away from, said position, i and for automatically engaging the clutchf of thetransmission of ansaid latter set isfmoved into opera- 9 tive' position.-

7. A machine advancing sheet longitudinally comprising a"plu-' mit'anyfone of said shaft "sets to.

engagingsaid clutch whensaid'shaft set is moved out of said position.

8. A machine for slittingand/or scoring an; j' v advancingsheet'longitudinally comprising ajpluis. 1 iralityof sets of coacting's'hafts adapted toadf iustably' carry slitting and scoring heads;- an

bodily rotatablein unisonfabout an axis'tdfper I mit any one of said'shaft sets to belmoved'intoi' operative position with 'resp ectlto the sheet, a

VP. -a transmission from saidj drive to each I .of said shaft sets and including 1a pairfof co-f axial gears and a'disengageable clutch'for clou-fr' plingisaid gears for rotation in unison. w

3. A machine for slitting and/or scoringan advancing sheet longitudinally comprising a frame, a plurality of sets of coacting shafts supported on saidfr'ame and having means thereon for acting. on the sheet, said frame being.gro-- tatabletobring anyone of .said shaft sets into operative position with respect to thesheet, a rotary drive member mountedcoaxiallyof said imm 'power t a smitt mea s c n ected t said drivemember and clutch' means for independently connecting said power transmitting means to any one'o'f said shaft sets.

4. A machine for slitting and/or scoring rality of duplicate sets an 7 "tweenj said cam 9. A'machine for slittingfandlor scoring an advancing'sheet longitudinally comprising a pluof "coacting shafts adapted to fadjustably carry "slitting and scoring'heads, and bodily rotatable in unison about an axis to permit anyone of said shaft sets to a rotary drive member'coaxial with 'said'axis, a

transmission from said drive member toeach of said-shaft sets and including'a pair ofcoaxial gears, a multiple disc friction clutch between'said gears forlcoupling 'said 'gears together for rotationin unison, a cam, and follower means be- 5.'A machinefor -slitting and/orscoringanl 7 for'slittin g and/or scoring I be moved V into operative position-with-respect-to the sheet, J

and said" clutch for disengaging Y said clutch as the corresponding shaft set is moved out of operative position, and for engaging' said clutch as said set moves into operative position. Y 10. A machine for slitting and/or scoring an advancing sheet longitudinally comprising a plurality, of sets of coacting shafts adapted to ad? justably carry slitting andscoring heads and bodily rotatable in unison about an axis to permit anyone of said shaft sets to be movedinto operative position with respect to the advancing sheet, a rotary drive member, a transmission from said drive member to each of said shaftsets and including a disengageable clutch, a cam presenting a cam surface eccentrically encircling .said axis, and cam follower means between said cam surface and said clutch for engaging and disengaging said clutch according to the position .ofitscorresponding shaft sets with respect to saidaxis- V i .1

11. A machine for'slitting and/6r scoring an advancing sheet longitudinally comprising a rotatable frame, a plurality of sets of coacting of coacting shafts supported on said frame, each pair having slitting and scoring elements secured to andj'longitudinally adjustable thereon,- and g each pair also having a pair-of intermeshing .gears,. said frame being rotatable to bring any oneof-said pairs of shafts and their said elements into operative position with respect to the sheet, a. drive gear rotatably mounted coaxially of said frame, and a plurality of members carried by said-frame, and one; adjacent to each of said pairs ofgears and movable axially of one of the gears, for drivably connecting said-drive gear and the gears of a pair of said shafts when the latter are'in operative position in respect to the'sheet. r.

'15. A machine for longitudinally slitting and/or scoring an advancing sheet, comprising a shaft, a frame supported onsaid shaft for rotation about the-axis thereoLa plurality of sets' of shafts supported on said frame equidistant from the axis thereof and carrying axially adjustable slitting and scoring heads, a drive gear shafts supported on said frame equidistant from the axis thereof and adapted to carry axially adjustable slitting and scoringheads, a drive shaft therefor, a motor, a transmission between said motor and said frame for rotating said frame to move one of said sets out of operative position with respect to the sheet and another 'set into said operative position and including irreversible, gearing locking said frame against rotation, when said motor is not operating, and means for automatically establishing and interrupting driving connections between said drive shaft and each of said sets as it moves into and out of operative position.

12. A machine for slitting and/or advancing sheet. longitudinally comprising a frame, a plurality of sets of coacting shafts supported on said frame and carrying axially adjustable slitting and scoring heads, said frame being rotatable to bring any one of said shaft sets into operative position with respect to the sheet, a drive shaft, a motor for rotating said frame, limit means for stopping said motor automatically when said frame reaches its next successive operative position, and means for automatically establishing andinterrupting driving connections between said drive shaft and each of said sets as it moves into and out of operative position. I a

13. A machine for longitudinally slitting and/ orscoring' an advancing sheet, comprising a normally stationary frame, a plurality of pairs of coacting shafts supported on said frame, each pair having slitting and scoring elementssecured to and longitudinally adjustable thereon, and

each pair 1 also having. a pair of intermeshing gears, saidv frame being rotatable to bring any one of said pairs of shafts and their said elements into operative position with respect to the sheet, a drive gear rotatably mounted coaxially of said frame, and means movable in a direction parallel to'the axis -of said frame, for drivably connecting said drive gear and the gears of a pair of said shafts when the latter are in operative position with respect to the sheet.

14. A machine for longitudinally slitting and/or scoring anadvancingsheet, comprising a normally stationary frame, a plurality of pairs scoring an coaxial with said first mentiQned shaft, a plurality of gears carried by said frame and each coaxial with a corresponding shaft'of' said sets ofshafts and normally rotatable idly on. said shafts, and all meshing with said drive gear, and means for drivably connecting each of said plurality of idle gears to its coaxial shaftwhen the latter is moved to operative position in respect to the sheet.

16. A machine forslitting and/or scoring an advancing sheet of material, including 9. normally" stationary frame, a plurality of pairs of shafts carried by said frame and disposed in spaced relationship around the axis of said frame, slitting-elements. longitudinally adjust- I able on said shafts, means for rotating said frame to bring any pair of shafts and its slitting elemens into or out of operative-position in respect to the path of movement of the sheet, a drive gear coaxial with said frame, a plurality of gears continuouslywmeshing with said drive gear and eachcorresponding to .a separate oneframe, slitting elements longitudinally adjust: able on saidshafts, means for rotating saidframeto bring anypair of shafts and its slitting elements into or out of operative position in respect to the path of movement of thesheet,

a drive gear coaxial with said frame, a pairof meshing gears on each pairof shafts, all of said last mentioned gears and said drive gear having their axes in fixed relative positionaandmeans controlled by the rotation of said frame for automatically establishing power transmitting 0011- nections. between said drive gear and each of said sets of shafts.

HERBERT C. BEHRENS. 

